US President Donald Trump has expressed his support for Britain's plan to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The UK is currently in discussions with Mauritius regarding the transfer of the Indian Ocean territory, with the exception of Diego Garcia, which houses a US military base.
During a joint appearance with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, Trump stated, 'We're going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it's going to work out well.' He also mentioned the possibility of a long-term lease agreement lasting around 140 years.
The Chagos Islands were depopulated by Britain in the 1960s and 1970s to make room for the military installation on Diego Garcia. Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, has consistently laid claim to the Chagos Islands.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that Britain's occupation of the islands was illegal and called for the relinquishment of control. The court also condemned the forced displacement of the Chagos Islands' population.
